US 7,284,575 B2 · Combined liquefied gas and compressed gas re-fueling station and method of operating same

Abstract

A re-fueling station is provided for selectively dispensing fuel in the form of liquefied gas or compressed gas. The re-fueling station comprises a storage tank for storing liquefied gas; a positive displacement fuel pump operable to draw fuel from the storage tank and discharge fuel to a flow diverter, which is operable to selectively direct fuel through one of a first outlet or a second outlet; and conduits through which fuel may flow from the first outlet to a heat exchanger and then to a first dispenser for dispensing compressed gas, or from the second outlet to a second dispenser for dispensing liquefied gas. A method is provided comprising operating the fuel pump in a low speed mode when fuel is directed to the first dispenser and operating the fuel pump in a high speed mode when fuel is directed to the second dispenser.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A re-fueling station for selectively dispensing fuel in the form of liquefied gas or compressed gas, said re-fueling station comprising:

(a) a storage tank within which liquefied gas may be stored;
(b) a dispensing system comprising:
a first dispenser for dispensing compressed gas;
a second dispenser for dispensing liquefied gas;
a heat exchanger operable to transfer heat to the fuel;
a flow diverter operable to receive fuel through an inlet and selectively direct fuel through one of a first outlet or a second outlet;
conduits through which fuel may flow from said first outlet to said heat exchanger and then to said first dispenser, or from said second outlet to said second dispenser;
and
(c) a positive displacement fuel pump operable to draw fuel from said storage tank and discharge fuel to said inlet of said flow diverter, wherein said pump is selectively operable in:
a low speed mode when fuel flow is directed to said first dispenser to deliver compressed gas;
and
a high speed mode when fuel flow is directed to said second dispenser to deliver liquefied gas, whereby said fuel pump operates with a higher number of cycles per minute compared to when said fuel pump is operated in said low speed mode.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combined liquefied gas and compressed gas re-fueling station and method of operating same

Life of this patent

Combined liquefied gas and compressed gas re-fueling station and method of operating same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33